Cars to be thankful for | Volvo V90 T8

They say you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, but it’s unlikely that anyone expected the old adage to apply to Volvo estates. Yet here we are, with the V60 and V90 back on the Volvo UK website, having been removed from sale for almost a year between August 2023 and July 2024. A couple of years back the brand made them unavailable to customers so it might focus its attention on SUVs; which, in the current climate, didn’t seem like a terrible idea. No manufacturer can afford to have filler in the range these days, and with the best will in the world neither ‘60 nor ‘90 were cars that folk queued around the block to get in one. 

Or so it seemed. Yet such was the response from the buying public (and the media) to the demise of the V cars that they were reinstated last year. Volvo’s press statement last year spoke of a ‘resurgence’ in demand for both despite estates generally trending downwards. It continued: “We were thrilled by the many comments from customers and media last year, with many stories and memories of how our estate cars have been a huge part of their lives. We look forward to helping create more.” Now mild and plug-in hybrid only, and without saloon counterparts anymore, the V60 and V90 soldier on as fabulously old-school Volvo wagons in a line-up dominated by electric SUVs. 

Their mere existence is reason enough to be cheerful; we’ve arguably reached a point now where what used to be the plainest of family car configurations now looks a little rare groove. Having an estate choice, even one you’re not likely to take, is welcome. Us Brits as well, without wishing to lean too heavily into nostalgia for the sake of it, have such an affiliation with Volvo estates that it feels weird not having them around brand new. Whether it’s touring cars or traffic cops, it’s a soft spot shared by the nation. 

This T8 press car continues another long Volvo tradition – that of concealing a serious amount of power in a very unassuming car. Thanks to the combination of a twincharged 2.0-litre (so supercharged and turbocharged) plus electric assistance, the range-topper boasts 455hp – while looking like it’s mustering in the region of half that. Even with the inevitable weight penalty of PHEVification – though 2,075kg ‘in running order’ doesn’t seem egregious in the M5’s world – performance is more than brisk: it’ll reach 62mph in 4.8 seconds. YouTube videos show 100mph coming up in 11 seconds, then the 112mph speed limiter chiming in with all the subtlety of a seawall. It might not growl like a proper T5, but this T8 is Golf R fast. And that’s fast enough. 

Inconspicuous speed is just part of the appeal in 2025. Like its XC90 sibling, the V90 undoubtedly has design in its favour as well, both ageing very nicely indeed despite a decade (or more) on sale. It’s both stylish and capacious, not sacrificing one for the other. Alright, so perhaps it’s not quite an E-Class or Skoda Superb (and electrification has robbed it of some space) but most won’t struggle unduly. There are always roofboxes, if needed. And you just know the Thomas Ingenlath-penned V90 would suit a roofbox absolutely perfectly. Practical and unassuming, yet handsome and desirable to those that know, it’s easy to imagine being very glad with a V90 outside. As well you might be for £70k, but let’s return to that point. 

The V90’s interior, little changed over the years, is a useful reminder of how tech and tactility can coexist. There’s a screen, of course, but it’s modestly sized and properly integrated; there’s a very satisfying volume dial, and while HVAC is on the screen it’s easy to negotiate. There’s a gearlever (remember those?), useful steering wheel buttons and door cards that could be exhibited in an architecture museum. The V90 makes you feel good without resorting to gimmicks. And the screen only failed to load once.

That the T8 fires up without a rev counter gives a pretty strong hint to the V90 driving experience. There’s a tacho if you must, accessed via Dynamic mode a few touchscreen prods away, but it makes the ride jittery and isn’t really worth it. Much better instead to mooch along always a little bit faster than necessary, both ‘chargers and electric ensuring you’ll never want for performance even at little more than idle. Naturally, the big bus is imperious at high speed, if not quite as happy as hoped for pottering to Waitrose. Where a V90 is very easy to find amongst the SUVs.

The usual drawbacks of boasting not quite the latest PHEV tech remain. Realistically there are not that many miles in the ‘tank’ (think less than 30, however serene and soothing they are), it’s hard to regenerate any on the move (even with very abrupt regen braking on offer), and it’ll only charge at 6.4kW – where a Golf will now accept 50kW DC. The whine of a four-cylinder isn’t really in keeping with the premium surroundings, either. A six would feel right at home, though that’s about as likely as the touring car return. 

To nitpick, however, is to miss the point. Even prior to the V90’s launch, let alone its reintroduction, you knew where to look for the best driving estate cars and those that could rival a van for luggage capacity. To this day, however, it’s hard to think of another big wagon that so successfully melds all the attributes a buyer might covet from such a vehicle. We associate ‘feel good’ cars with being care-free convertibles, or perky hot hatches, but the big Volvo proves it’s not an exclusively small car phenomenon. The safety, security, style, space and speed mean you can’t help but be content behind the wheel the entire time. When there’s precious cargo aboard and there’s a long way to go, still nothing quite gets the job done like a big Volvo estate. Just as it should be. 

Truth be told, you don’t necessarily need 455hp for that effect; a 350hp T6 will also ferry the family more than convincingly, and starts at just under £60k. Which feels more palatable than £73,065 as tested. Either way, all feels right with the world when there’s a large, handsome, versatile, fast Volvo estate on sale – or, even better, outside that house. Long may that continue in one form or another. EV90 sounds pretty good, come to think of it…

Engine: 1,969cc, 4-cylinder, supercharged, turbocharged, petrol plug-in hybrid, 14.7kWh (usable) battery
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 455
Torque (lb ft): 523
0-62mph: 4.8 secs
Top speed: 112mph (limited)
Weight: 2,075kg (‘running order mass’)
MPG: 256.5-313.4
CO2: 20-25g/km (max electric range 52 miles WLTP
Price: £70,780 (price as standard; price as tested £73,065 comprising Denim Blue metallic paint for £785 and Nappa leather for £1,500)